A
recent study was conducted to determine whether individuals with
backache tend to sit for longer periods and have more forward-flexed
and relaxed sitting posture than those without backache. Using student
volunteers (half with backache, half without), researchers had students
record their activity in a diary for a period of 3 days. Researchers
found the most common activity during the day for both groups (backache
and no backache groups) was sitting and the average sitting times were
similar between groups. However, the
group with backache sat for longer periods without interruption and had
a more flexed relaxed sitting posture than the no backache group. Thus,
be sure to sit up straight and take frequent breaks to stretch when
sitting.